FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tokyo, February 27, 1996 -- Fujitsu Cultural Technologies today announced plans for a new product called WebWorld [TM] -- a customizable animated virtual world for the world wide web that enables real-time interactivity among users visiting the same web site.

WebWorld features add lifelike interactive capabilities to existing websites. Custom WebWorlds will enable companies to promote their products and services through the virtual environments and communities linked to their web sites.

The user gains access to the virtual world by activating hyperlinks from the company's current HTML Web pages. Once the WebWorld browser is launched, the user enters an animated, graphical landscape that is themed and customized to reflect the company's business. The user navigates the virtual landscape in the form of an online, animated persona called an "avatar."

Through his or her avatar, the user can move around, communicate, make transactions, handle objects and, most importantly, interact in real time with other users who are logged on at the same time.

"Browsing the web no longer needs to be a solitary experience. WebWorlds will bring real community to the web," says Fujitsu Cultural Technologies executive director, Tony Christopher. "With a WebWorld, a company can design a unique, online experience for its customers -- the "experience" of these worlds will become a new form of promotion for companies' products and services."

WebWorld functionality is based on the same technology used to create WorldsAway, the online virtual world developed by Fujitsu Cultural Technologies and introduced last quarter on CompuServe. Fujitsu Cultural Technologies will provide a complete range of services to help companies design, develop and host their WebWorld servers.

The WorldsAway avatar can "talk" to other avatars in real time through text-based chat, as in traditional chat services, but is additionally capable of a wide range of expressions, gestures and movements that enhance communication.
Users may personalize their avatars' looks and colors to create their unique identities. Objects in the virtual world also support personal expression and enhance in-World experiences--for example, giving flowers and candy, sharing a drink at the bar or carrying a cellular phone.

"One of the highlights of a WebWorld visit will be the 'cool stuff' available in that world -- the promotional novelties -- that an avatar can own, win or give to other avatars," says Tony Christopher.

WorldsAway virtual worlds are "scaleable," meaning they can grow to accommodate an ever-increasing number of users. The technology allows new objects and environments to be added at will -- for example new art can be temporarily added to the virtual world to mark, holidays and special promotions.

"The WorldsAway technology, as applied in a WebWorld, is a powerful new tool for marketing and promotion in an increasingly interactive world," says Sophie Kim, head of marketing for Fujitsu Cultural Technologies. "We've seen phenomenal growth with WorldsAway -- in just 2 months it has become one of the top services among CompuServe's over 3,000 service offerings. WebWorlds will bring that same powerful element of interaction and community to the web."

WebWorlds is introduced by Fujitsu's Cultural Technologies division established in San Jose, August 1994. The division was formed to develop and market multimedia technologies that extend, enhance and facilitate network computer-based interaction between people.

Founded in 1935, Fujitsu Limited is the world's second-largest computer manufacturer and an international leader in telecommunications, semiconductors and other electronic devices. The company offers a broad line of information processing systems, ranging from the world's fastest supercomputers to the smallest palmtop computers. The Fujitsu group of over 400 technology, software and services companies posted global revenues of more than $36 billion in the fiscal year ending March 1995.

For more information, please contact:

Diane Bancroft- Fujitsu Cultural Technologies
Tel: 1(408) 456-7923 Internet e-mail: diane@ossi.com
Internet Server: http://www.worldsaway.ossi.com

Michael Beirne- Fujitsu Limited, Public Relations
Tel: 81(3)3215-5236 Internet e-mail: mike@hq.fujitsu.co.jp
Marunouchi Center Bld., 1-6-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku Tokyo 100 Japan
Internet Server: http://jp.fujitsu.com/ (Japanese Home Page)
http://www.fujitsu.com/ (English Page)

WebWorlds can be accessed starting in the second quarter 1996. Watch the WorldsAway World Wide Web page at http://www.worldsaway.ossi.com for further announcements."

CompuServe members can access WorldsAway using the command GO AWAY from the CompuServe Information Manager(R) (CIM) software. This will bring users of CIM (WinCIM version 1.4 or higher or MACCIM(R) version 2.4.2 or higher) to the WorldsAway menu page. From that menu, individuals can download the WorldsAway software by choosing the WORLDSAWAY SOFTWARE icon. WorldsAway software can also be downloaded from the WorldsAway World Wide Web page at:
http://www.worldsaway.ossi.com.
After `installing the WorldsAway software, users enter WorldsAway by choosing the ENTER WORLDSAWAY icon on the WorldsAway menu page.
To join CompuServe, call 800/239-2247.